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Obagi skincare

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Obagi is an American skincare brand founded in 1988 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2026.

en.wikipedia.org

Skincare enthusiasts love Obagi for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, and clarifying toners, all driven by advanced scientific formulas. Its products suit mature skin and dry skin best, providing deep replenishment and targeted care. For specific concerns, the brand offers the Hydrate Luxe for acne-prone skin, the Retinol 0.5 for skin with dark spots, and the Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream for mature skin. Through thoughtful daily use, its well-formulated range helps individuals achieve a balanced, radiant, and healthy complexion.

This page covers some of the most popular Obagi products; for the whole Obagi range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

Other Obagi products

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 6.3k+ reviews

Reviewers most often praise Obagi for improving skin texture, deep hydration, and reducing fine lines. The most common complaints are irritation and high price points.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating and soothing moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
    • “hydrating for super-dry skin — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
    • “Users report it "stops flaking," "quenches dry skin," and provides "moisture that lasts all day." — Hydrate Luxe”
    • “reduces redness — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
  • Fast-absorbing and improving serums Mostly Mentioned
    • “smooth as a baby — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
    • “Does seem to keep my skin smooth. — Retinol 0.5”
    • “keeps pores cleared — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
  • Lightweight and textured moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
    • “Described as "whipped butter," "rich but non-greasy," and "silky," absorbing well despite its thickness. — Hydrate Luxe”
    • “skin younger looking — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
  • Brightening and anti-aging serums Mostly Mentioned
    • “instantly brightens face — Vitamin C Serum”
    • “lightened age spots — Vitamin C Serum”
    • “diminished fine lines — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
  • High price Often Mentioned
    • “very expensive — Vitamin C Serum”
    • “expensive — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
    • “Users note it is "expensive," "pricey," or a "splurge" compared to other moisturizers. — Hydrate Luxe”
  • Skin irritation and dryness Often Mentioned
    • “shedding like a snake — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
    • “redness and burning — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
    • “sucked moisture out — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
  • Packaging and dispenser issues Sometimes Noted
    • “pump does not work — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
    • “dropper leaks — Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Complaints about the "unhygienic jar" and a preference for a "pump dispenser." — Hydrate Luxe”
  • Texture and formula complaints Sometimes Noted
    • “turned orange fast — Vitamin C Serum”
    • “feels tacky — Vitamin C Serum”
    • “too thick — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, walmart.com, skincareessentials.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

Is Obagi good for dry skin?

Obagi is good for dry skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine Superior for dry skin. Lovi rates the Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream and Hydrate Luxe High and Superior for dry skin, though users sometimes note skin irritation and dryness.

Is Obagi worth it?

Obagi may be worth it for mature skin, dry skin, and skin with dark spots, which the brand fits best. Reviewers often mention deeply hydrating and soothing moisturizers as well as brightening and anti-aging serums, though high prices and skin irritation are frequently reported.

What are Obagi's best products?

Obagi's best products for dry skin and aging are Hydrate Luxe and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream, which Lovi rates Superior and High for dry and mature skin. Reviewers frequently mention that these moisturizers leave the skin deeply soft and calm. Obagi also offers powerful brightening and anti-aging serums like Retinol 0.5 and Vitamin C Serum, though the brand-focused routine for dry skin rates Superior overall.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?

Hydrate Luxe is the best choice for dry skin, rating Superior on Lovi. Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream also rate High for dry skin.

Does Obagi cause breakouts?

Obagi is unlikely to cause breakouts for most skin types, as Lovi rates acne-prone skin High for Obagi-focused routines. However, some reviewers often mention skin irritation and dryness from certain products.

Is Obagi fragrance-free?

Most of the Obagi products on this page are fragrance-free, as 7 out of 8 products list no fragrance.

What are the key ingredients in Obagi products?

Obagi products feature key ingredients such as retinol, tretinoin, and ascorbic acid that help smooth lines and brighten skin. Retinol and tretinoin support collagen production in aging skin, while ascorbic acid helps improve dark spots.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993

How do I build a Obagi skincare routine?

To build an Obagi routine for dry skin in the morning, apply a cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and SPF, while the evening routine includes a pre-cleanser, cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, and moisturizer. Once a week, use a pre-cleanser, cleanser, enzyme powder, nourishing mask, Vitamin C Serum, and moisturizer. Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine for dry skin as Superior.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?

Obagi is available from stores in Australia featured on this page, with prices ranging from A$172.85.

What are good alternatives to Obagi?

CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica are good alternatives to Obagi. Lovi rates the CeraVe-focused routine High for dry skin, matching the Obagi-focused routine for other skin types.

Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?

Obagi and CeraVe both rate High for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin, while Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine Superior for dry skin compared to High for CeraVe. Obagi products on this page mostly feature deep hydration and soothing or brightening serums, though shoppers frequently mention high prices and skin irritation.

Who owns Obagi, and where is it from?

Obagi is an American brand founded in 1988, owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2026.

en.wikipedia.org

Is Obagi cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Obagi as cruelty-free.

Is Obagi good for sensitive skin?

Obagi is good for sensitive skin, and Lovi rates Obagi-focused routines High for sensitive skin. Reviewers mostly mention that the moisturizers are deeply hydrating and soothing, though shoppers should note that skin irritation and dryness may occur.

Is Obagi good for acne-prone skin?

Obagi is good for acne-prone skin, with Lovi rating the Obagi-focused routine High for this skin type. Reviewers mostly mention that Obagi offers fast-absorbing serums and deep moisturizers, though some note skin irritation and dryness.

Is Obagi good for skin with dark spots?

Yes, Obagi fits skin with dark spots well because mature skin, dry skin, and skin with dark spots are the skin types the brand fits best. The Obagi products on this page help brighten the face, and Retinol 0.5 and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream rate High for skin with dark spots.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Is Obagi good for mature skin?

Yes, Obagi fits mature skin well, as the brand-focused routines rate Superior for dry skin and Obagi offers targeted serums and moisturizers. Lovi rates Hydrate Luxe and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream High for mature skin, while Retinol 0.5 helps smooth aging skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Research behind Obagi's key ingredients

Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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